The Session Period Is Opened Again, The DPR Promises To Discuss The Law Not To Be Disturbed With The Election Agenda

Puan Maharani (Photo via Dok PDIP)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, chaired the Plenary Meeting for the opening of the DPR's Second Session Period for the 2023-2024 session. Puan also ensured that the DPR's performance would not be disturbed by the election agenda, including in the preparation of laws (UU).

The Plenary Session for the opening of the DPR Session was held at Nusantara II Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (31/10/2023). The DPR has again started a session after undergoing a recess period of approximately three weeks since 4 October.

At the beginning of the opening speech for the DPR session, Puan mentioned that currently the 2024 General Election stage has been and is ongoing. He said the election was a constitutional mandate.

Puan said the quality of the year election will determine the quality of democracy. Puan also said that the quality of the election will determine the quality of the implementation of people's sovereignty in managing the nation and state.

"It is necessary to implement quality elections. It takes political parties participating in the general election who are increasingly advanced in actuating the interests of the people and always upholding their commitment to safeguarding and guarding the nation's ideology and strengthening the unity of the nation," he said.

Puan also said that in a democratic country, power is always limited and unlimited. Where the constitution has guaranteed to perfect democracy through the implementation of elections periodically.

"The People's Sovereignty is held through branches of state power, where the DPR RI as a legislative institution, the President as an executive institution, and the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court as judicial institutions can control each other," said Puan.

Although the political dynamics are heating up ahead of the 2024 General Election in February, it is said that the DPR RI will continue to carry out its duties and responsibilities. In implementing the legislative function, Puan revealed that the DPR is discussing 9 Draft Laws which are currently in the stage of Level I discussion. "The completion of the discussion of the Law should not be disturbed by the election agenda which is getting closer. The DPR RI together with the Government will remain focused and maintain the people's mandate in order to produce quality laws and regulations," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Meanwhile, in the budget function, the DPR through related commissions is said to continue to supervise the implementation of the 2023 State Budget policy, which is only two months left. The supervision aims to ensure that the performance of the State Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 runs effectively and efficiently.

"As well as being able to respond and anticipate the weakening of the global economy which has become increasingly visible at the beginning of the fourth quarter of this year," said Puan.

Furthermore, Puan emphasized that currently the DPR through the Council Apparatus (AKD) continues to carry out its supervisory function to the Government. There are several policies, issues, and problems in various fields that are of special concern to the DPR.

Some of these issues include the food crisis, the impact of drought and the clean water crisis, the increase in world oil prices, cases of bullying, cases of monkeypox, financing of MSMEs through fintech lending peer to peer (P2P) or online loans, allegations of misuse of pension funds in several SOEs and an increase in the BI rate rate to 6%.

"The DPR RI will encourage Ministries and Institutions to work responsively, measurably, orientedly solving problems so that people feel the presence of the Government in protecting the people, simplifying people's lives and ensnaring the people," said Puan.

On the same occasion, Puan also talked about the heated conflict between Israel and Palestine. He said the DPR continued to encourage diplomatic steps in resolving the conflict between the two countries.

"Responding to the armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group (Hamas) that has killed thousands of people, the House of Representatives continues to encourage the Government to take diplomatic steps in supporting a fair settlement for Palestine and continues to voice international recognition of the sovereignty and independence of the Palestinian people," explained Puan.

At the end of her speech, Puan hoped that the members of the council would continue to work as well as possible for the people.

Officially, members of the DPR have returned to trial to carry out their constitutional duties. On behalf of the leadership of the DPR RI, we congratulate you on working on the welfare of the people," he said.

At this plenary session, the DPR as well as 3 new council members through interim shifts (PAW). Those who were inaugurated as new members of the DPR are:

1. Handayani from the PKB faction with the Jambi electoral district, replaces Sofyan Ali.

2. Andi Najmi Fuaidi from the PKB faction with the Central Java IX electoral district, replaces Bachrudin Nashori.

3. Dadang S Muchtar from the Golkar faction with the West Java VII electoral district, replaces Dedi Mulyadi.